NSW seatbelt cameras show mothers breastfeeding, unrestrained kids
The government is set to rake in millions of dollars in fine revenue with new cameras capturing thousands of idiots flouting seatbelt rules. See the pictures.
NSW
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Parents bottle-feeding unrestrained babies on their laps and a mother breastfeeding are among the thousands of shocking images captured by seatbelt cameras in just three weeks.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal a staggering 11,400 fines totalling $4.7 million have been issued for seatbelt offences since July 1 — more than two and a half times than what had been anticipated.
Other images show multiple unrestrained children sharing the front seat, babies being held and adults wearing seatbelts in various ways.
The sheer number of motorists and passengers being caught by the cameras without a seatbelt — or wearing one incorrectly – is so high that it has even taken the state government by surprise.
Mobile phone detection cameras were adjusted to capture seatbelt offences in vehicles on July 1, with 8.3 million vehicles checked so far.
Of those, one in every 700 has resulted in a seatbelt offence fine — two and half times more than the government had anticipated.
So effective are the cameras that the number of fines issued in three weeks is more than the total number of seatbelt fines that police issued over the entire 2023 year.
It is understood the new seatbelt cameras are picking up as many infringements as red light cameras.
Should the number of people being captured on breaching seatbelt laws continue at the same rate, the number of fines issued will surpass 100,000 fines by the end of this financial year – a number that will result in about $41m of unintended revenue for the government.
Seatbelt offences were previously only ever detected by police.
Last year, the Minns government announced it would be adjusting mobile phone detection cameras to also be able to detect seatbelt offences – a move designed to reduce fatalities given being unrestrained doubles the chance of dying in a car crash.
Government figures show in the five years up to the end of 2023, 149 people died on NSW roads not wearing a seatbelt, accounting for about 15 per cent of all vehicle occupant deaths.
Separate Transport for NSW data show there were 67 children under the age of four years were injured in car crashes in 2022, including 19 “seriously” – although it is not known if they were restrained.
The images from the cameras show about one quarter of those captured in the first 21 days of operation were not wearing seatbelts while the remainder were wearing them incorrectly.
In the five years to the end of 2023, 149 people died on NSW roads after not wearing a seatbelt.
According to seatbelt rules, the lap portion of the belt should lie low and firmly over the hips with the sash lying across the chest and shoulder.
The fine for seatbelt offence is $410 three demerit points.
Roads Minister John Graham said the sheer volume of people that were not wearing seatbelts had come as a surprise.
“We knew there was a problem with seatbelt compliance among a small section of motorists and passengers, but the reality is it is worse than expected and we need this to serve as a wake up call,” he said. “We have a rising road toll in NSW and the straightforward act of putting a seatbelt on could save dozens of lives a year.”
Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the message of the old 1980s seatbelt campaign to “click clack, front and back” still rang true.
“I’m shocked and saddened by what’s emerged after just one month of seatbelt enforcement cameras coming into effect,” she said.
Ms Aitchison said wearing a seatbelt incorrectly also had consequences, with tests conducted by the Centre for Road Safety showing that the impact of wearing a seatbelt under the arm in a crash at 60km/h could cause fatal injuries to the liver, spleen or abdomen.
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